Background: To preserve remnant liver function, hepatectomy combined with hepatic vein (HV) reconstruction was performed in resection of the tumor located at the confluence of the HV and inferior vena cava.
Methods: Eight patients underwent HV reconstruction: the right HV in three, the middle HV in four, and the left HV in one. An external iliac vein graft was used in two patients, a superficial femoral vein graft in three, and a long saphenous vein graft in one. In one patient a patch graft was applied to the right HV; another patient underwent end-to-end anastomosis of the right HV without grafting.
Results: There were no operative deaths and liver function was adequate throughout the postoperative period. Complications included two cases of minor biliary fistula. The middle HV with a saphenous graft and the left HV with an external iliac graft became occluded because of size mismatch at the anastomosis. Six veins were patent at 1 month and three were still patent after 30 months.
Conclusions: To prevent graft occlusion, it is important to select an autologous vein of optimal size and avoid inflammation of the liver stump. HV reconstruction appears to be a new surgical option for patients undergoing hepatectomy.